Can you share a little about yourself and what first inspired your journey into yoga and holistic health?
I'm a born and raised LA woman currently living in Malibu. Living here is my dream come true :)
I've been teaching yoga since 2007 and practicing since I was 15 years old. For me, it's my everything. It's my compass and my backbone. When I moved to NYC and first went to Jivamukti and learned about all the philosophy behind the practice, I was inspired to dive deeper. Since then, I've let yoga take root and unfold and take me in so many directions.
What does "food as medicine" mean to you, both in your teaching and in your own life?
I think the body is a self-healing miracle!! I think the body is a house, the abode of the spirit, what we live in. I think a house that functions is a joy to live in, and we all know houses (and bodies) fall apart. I think it's a lot of joyful work to maintain a body and keep hold of the narrative thread. Food for the body, mind, and spirit is quite literally what we are made of. I try to inspire people to participate in their own health and well-being. That's what having a practice is!
What does a typical day of nourishment, movement, and self-care look like for you?
I feel so blessed that at this point in my life working out is my hobby. I feel like Goldie Hawn in First Wives Club, I just love it. I travel so much and am very social and with people for work, so I do love quiet routine at home. I wake up, I look at the ocean (ocean views!!), I have water, make coffee, teach and work on my online platform Tenon, plan/organize my retreats or speak to one of my mentees. I walk my dog on the beach most days. I take some kinda workout class, usually reformer Pilates, and I talk on the phone with friends (my lifeblood). I eat, I read, maybe I watch something, I take care of my skin. I try to find gratitude for small things.
How do nutrition and mindful movement work together in your approach to supporting strength and balance, both physically and mentally?
It's all the same thing to me; maintenance and taking care of myself. Eating well, moving my body, experiencing pleasure and joy, it's me participating in my own well-being and creating a balanced system. For me, it's not just the ingredients, it's the mood you are in when you eat and who you eat with. It's the magical x factor that's beyond the sum of the parts. Having fries, wine, not feeling like there are rules is part of the magic for me. I need to be able to enjoy myself through food and not feel limited. Movement is my happy place, so it's very second nature at this point. But it wasn't always. I've consciously created this habit and feel extremely grateful that working out is my hobby at this point.
